Painful memories

Posted on Fri Jul 30th, 2021 @ 12:01pm by Captain Jennifer Simms
Edited on on Sat Jul 31st, 2021 @ 8:08pm

Mission: Jumping Right In
Location: Gym - SGC
Timeline: MD2 - 0600 hrs
585 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Jennifer entered the gym early in the morning, just to make sure she has the place all to herself for a while. Working out always helped her think and she had to keep in shape. Going against aliens and science fiction like technology with kinetic weapons will require her very best. Maybe even more than just her best. So until she got her first assignment all she could do is train, exercise and train some more.

However what she had not expected was to see Ivan of all people working out. Jennifer's usual cheerful smirk took a rather saddened angle before perking right up. Walking up to the treadmill next to Ivan's she climbs on it and starts running a leisure jog to warm up.

The two have served together a few tours. The first time she had actually served under the old sergeant. And many years later he server in her squad, Jennifer a officer and Ivan still a sergeant. A brilliant one at that.

They have struck a strange friendship, and she knew his pain all too well. So she ran silently, not saying a word, but slowly increasing her speed to match his. Eventually Ivan slowed down to a relaxing walk to wind down before his next high speed jog.

"Captain."

"Sergeant."

"Colonel Duran?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Colonel Duran." She nodded.

"The cold sucks." Ivan made the understatement of the century.

"You are Russian."

"Still sucks. I miss Iraq."

"Insurgents shooting at us and IEDs?"

"Was fun and warm. We were under equipped. Got to play improvising gear."

"Well, Hephaestus always tinkering at something. Surprised it did not blow up in our faces."

"Should have. Half of time was not sure any of it would work."

"It did. You're good at it."

"You were good team leader."

"Flatterer."

"Is truth."

Silence descended upon the two of them as they started to pick up the pace for a fast paced jog. Ten minutes later they wound down again, setting into a relaxing walking pace.

"How are you holding out?" Jennifer finally asked what she wanted to from the moment she saw him.

"Angry. Always angry... want to go through ring." He replied coldly.

"That anger will get you killed."

"No, head cool, think straight, not blinded by it."

"Can you swear you will not loose it when you see those snake fuckers?"

"Yes."

"Liar. Lives will depend on you, whatever the team you end up in."

"I know, not after small fry."

"You want a chance to take out the big snakes up top?"

"Yes. Slowly... painfully..."

"Ivan..."

"Hephaestus."

"Hephaestus, promise me to not do anything stupid. Think the of the long game here. Revenge will not get you anywhere."

"I know, not stupid. Older than you, saw more Jen. Not young recruit. Can hold feelings in control. Will get revenge eventually."

"Eventually? Are you planning to blow their planet or something?"

"If they have one... yes... got plan... device in mind already."

"You are insane."

"Always."

Jennifer began to laugh and shake her head at him, sighing and giving him a warm, supporting smile.

"Make sure I am not on it when you blow it up?"

"Will do Captain. Always look after own."

"Good. Now, start a again? Two out of three?"

"Make four out of five, give you more chances."

The two started running once in silence, all the words that needed to be told having been spoken. Nothing more was needed from the two comrades in arms.